Palestinian Supermodel Bella Hadid has released a heartfelt statement following her removal from an Adidas campaign centered on the 1972 Munich Olympics, which faced significant backlash from Israel. The campaign, which aimed to celebrate the spirit of the Olympics, was criticized for its insensitivity to the tragic events of the 1972 Munich massacre, where 11 Israeli athletes were killed.
Hadid expressed her profound regret and disappointment in a statement, emphasizing her unawareness of the campaign’s historical context. She stated, “For those of you that do not know my heart, I want to make sure you’re hearing directly from me about my recent campaign with adidas. I would never knowingly engage with any art or work that is linked to a horrific tragedy of any kind. In advance of the campaign’s release, I had no knowledge of the historical connection to the atrocious events in 1972.”
Hadid went on to express her shock and upset over the situation, noting the collective failure to recognize the sensitivity required for such a campaign. “I am shocked, I am upset, and I am disappointed in the lack of sensitivity that went into this campaign. Had I been made aware, from the bottom of my heart, I would never have participated,” she said. She also took responsibility, acknowledging that more research should have been done on her part, her team’s part, and by Adidas.
The model, who is of Palestinian descent, addressed the broader implications of the controversy, connecting it to the struggles of the Palestinian people. “Connecting the liberation of the Palestinian people to an attack so tragic is something that hurts my heart. Palestine is not synonymous with terrorism and this campaign unintentionally highlighted an event that does not represent who we are. I am a proud Palestinian woman and there is so much more to our culture than the things that have been equated over the past week.”
Hadid reiterated her commitment to advocating for both Palestinian rights and a world free of antisemitism. “I will forever stand by my people of Palestine while continuing to advocate for a world free of antisemitism. Antisemitism has no place in the liberation of the Palestinian people,” she stated.
Concluding her statement, Hadid emphasized her dedication to peace and her condemnation of all forms of hate. “I will always stand for peace over violence, any day. Hate has no place here, and I will forever advocate for not only my people but every person worldwide.”
Bella Hadid Statement
Adidas has formally apologized for its recent SL72 campaign, which inadvertently drew parallels to the tragic events of the 1972 Munich Olympics. The company acknowledges the distress caused by these unintended associations and expresses sincere regret for any offense.
In addition, Adidas has apologized to campaign partners, including Bella Hadid, ASAP Nast, and Jules Koundé, for the negative impact of the controversy. The company is currently undergoing a comprehensive review of the campaign.
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